And they made two other golden rings, and put them on the two sides of the ephod underneath, toward the forepart of it, over against the other coupling thereof, above the curious girdle of the ephod.
EXODUS 39:20KJVWhat does Exodus 39:20 mean?
Exodus 39:20 describes how the craftsmen making the priestly garments created two more gold rings and attached them to the lower front sides of the ephod, just above its decorative waistband, so that the different parts of the priest’s outfit could be securely fastened together. This detail shows the careful construction and specific placement of each piece in the high priest’s ceremonial clothing.
In this passage, the book of Exodus is recounting how the Israelites, under Moses’ direction, followed God’s instructions for building the tabernacle and its furnishings. The ephod was a special vest worn by the high priest, and these rings were part of the system for attaching the breastplate to the ephod. The verse highlights the attention to detail and craftsmanship involved in making the sacred garments exactly as commanded.
The Hebrew behind Exodus 39:20
- אֵפוֹד (’ephod): This word means "ephod," a special priestly garment. Knowing this helps clarify that the verse is about the high priest’s clothing, not just any robe.
- חָשֵׁב (ḥashēv): Translated here as "curious girdle," this refers to the skillfully woven waistband of the ephod. The phrase shows that the rings were placed just above this decorated belt, emphasizing the precise arrangement.
- מַסְגֵּרֶת (masgeret, from the tag H4225 "coupling"): This word refers to the fastening or joining mechanism. The verse points out that the new rings were positioned opposite the other set of fastenings, showing the symmetry and function in the garment’s design.
Why Exodus 39:20 matters
- This verse clears up that the priestly garments were not just decorative but carefully engineered, with each ring and fastening serving a purpose in holding the outfit together.
- Exodus 39:20 shows the Israelites’ faithfulness in following detailed instructions, which is a theme throughout the tabernacle construction narrative.
- Understanding the placement of the rings and the structure of the ephod helps readers appreciate the complexity and significance of the high priest’s role and attire in Israelite worship.